Automatic valve assembly for swimming pool type filter

ABSTRACT

An automatic filter valve assembly for a swimming pool type filter system, in which a rotary valve in pressure engagement with an orifice plate to provide a filtering position and a backwash position, includes means responsive to the accumulation of sediment in the filter, for raising the valve from its engagement with the orifice plate, rotating it to a backwash determining position, following which, a timing means, after a time period adequate for backwashing, restores the valve to its former filter position. Pushbutton means is provided for manually determining additional positions of the valve assembly.

United States Patent Inventors Floyd M. Nash;

Joel T. Hicks, both of Little Rock, Ark. Appl. No. 848,195 Filed Aug. 7, 1969 Patented Dec. 28, 1971 Assignee Jacuzzi Bros., Incorporated AUTOMATIC VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR SWIMMING POOL TYPE FILTER 6 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 210/108,

137/625.21,2l0/l38,2i0/l69 Int. Cl Bold 23/24 Field of Search 210/169;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,178,024 4/1965 Jacuzzi Primary ExaminerFrank A. Spear, Jr. AttorneyEdwarcl Brosler ABSTRACT: An automatic filter valve assembly for a swimming pool type filter system, in which a rotary valve in pressure engagement with an orifice plate to provide a filtering position and a backwash position, includes means responsive to the accumulation of sediment in the filter, for raising the valve from its engagement with the orifice plate, rotating it to a backwash determining position, following which, a timing means, after a time period adequate for backwashing, restores the valve to its former filter position. Pushbutton means is provided for manually determining additional positions of the valve assembly.

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8| VALVE MOTOR INVENTORS FLOYD M. N BY JOEL T. HI

Kama/M ATTORNEY AUTOMATIC VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR SWIMMING POOL TYPE FILTER Our invention relates to filters and filter systems of the swimming pool type, and more particularly to a multiway valve assembly for controlling operation of the filter.

The construction of swimming pools is normally accompanied by the installation of a filter system for periodically cleaning the pool water. Such system requires a multiway valve assembly to effect the various operations entailed in connection with such system.

The multiway valve assembly to which the present invention relates, is one wherein an adjustable valve or diverter makes sealing engagement with an orifice plate having a plurality of openings therein, certain of which must be blocked off in the various functional positions of the valve or diverter.

Among the objects of our invention are:

I. To provide a novel and improved multiway valve assembly of the above character, and capable of use in a swimming pool type filter system;

2. To provide a novel and improved multiway valve assembly of the type referred to, whose adjustments may be determined automatically, and in response to conditions in the filter system in which the same may be included;

3. To provide a novel and improved automatic multiway filter valve assembly adapted for use in determining the backwashing of a filter in a swimming pool type filter system, in response to a condition of said filter when flow therethrough is impeded by accumulated sediment.

Additional objects of our invention will be brought out in the following description of a preferred embodiment of the same, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein;

FIG. 1 is a view in section, through a multiway valve assembly of the present invention, shown installed on a filter of the sand type;

FIG. 2 is a view in section, taken in the plane 2-2 of F IG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in section, taken in the plane 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view in section, taken in the plane 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view in section, corresponding to that of FIG. 4 but depicting the position of certain of the elements thereof at a different period in the cycle of operation thereof;

FIGS. 6 through 9 are schematic views depicting the func tional relationship of various components of the valve assembly of the present invention, during an adjustment of the valve therein; and

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram involved in the operation of the valve assembly, when functioning to control the operation of the filter in a filter system.

A conventional swimming pool type type filter system includes a filter l which in the present instance, is of the sand type having an input opening 3 and a discharge opening 5 centrally of the input opening 3 and in a common plane, the opening 5 being provided by a central pipe 7, flow coupled to the underdrain of the filter. The multiway valve assembly 9 of the present invention is mounted on the filter.

The valve assembly under consideration, involves an orifice plate 11 which includes a sealing layer 13. The orifice plate, in the present embodiment, has four quadrant openings l5, l7, 19, 21, and is supported on the upper end of a valve port body 23, whose lower end terminates in an outward flange 25 to which is bolted an externally threaded collar 27 adapted to thread into the input opening of the filter.

This port body has four passages registering at their upper ends with the four orifices. One passageway 31 extends from the one orifice to the input opening 3 of the filter, another passageway 33 from the discharge opening 5 of the filter to a second orifice 19. A third orifice 17 is flow connected externally by a passageway 35 terminating in a threaded wall opening 37 in the port body, and in like manner, the fourth orifice 21 is connected externally by a passageway 39 terminating in a second threaded wall opening 41 in the port body located substantially diametrically opposite the first threaded wall opening 37.

Engaging the sealing layer 13 of the orifice plate, is a diverter valve 45 so formed as to include an arcuate inverted closed ended trough 47 of a size to cover two adjacent quadrant openings in the orifice plate, and thus encompasses approximately 180 degrees. Of the remaining two orifices, each of which occupies one quadrant, one orifice is blocked by a quadrant flange 49 extending from an end wall of the trough, leaving the adjacent orifice exposed.

The diverter is rotatably installed with its quadrant sections in alignment with the orifices in the orifice plate, be recessing the underside of the diverter at its axis, for positioning the same over a stud 51 centrally located on the orifice plate. A diverter shaft 53 fixedly positioned centrally through the diverter and extending into the recess, has its exposed end drilled to slidably receive the aforementioned stud, to function as a guide in lifting and adjustably rotating the diverter.

The diverter is housed in the lower chamber 55 of a housing formed by a cylindrical wall 57 and a roof in the form of a mounting plate 59, spanning the upper end thereof, the diverter shaft 53 extends and is slidably sealed by an O-ring 65. A relatively stiff compression spring 67 about the shaft, and under compression between the partition and the diverter, serves to maintain the diverter in sealing engagement with the sealing layer of the orifice plate. By the same taken, the aforementioned manner of installing the diverter shaft, will permit of lifting of the diverter against the action of the compression spring, to permit freedom of rotation of the diverter.

The lower chamber 55 of the housing in which the diverter is located, is provided with a threaded wall opening 71 to receive a pipe connection 73, such pipe connection in a filter system of the conventional type, coming from a filter pump 75 (FIG. 10) which pumps water from the pool to the filter, for filtering.

Above the partition 61, are the means for adjusting the diverter, and this involves the means for raising and rotating the same from one position, detennining one functioning position of the valve assembly in the filter system, to another position, determining another function of the system in which the filter is installed.

Such raising and rotating means involves a motor 81 supported on the roof of the housing or mounting plate 59, which motor is connectable to the diverter shaft 53 through a lift cam coupling 83, one component 85 of which is mounted on the shaft of the motor 81 to be driven thereby, while the other component 87 is attached to the upper end of the divertershaft 53.

The motor driven component is of disc shape and provided with oppositely disposed inclined cam lift surfaces 91, 93 on the edge thereof, each terminating at its high end in a sharp drop.

The shaft supported component involves a diametrical mounting bar 95 supporting a cylindrical wall 97 of greater diameter than the cam disc, and having diametrically disposed inwardly directed lift pins 99 extending into the path of movement of the inclined cam surfaces 91, 93.

From this, it will apparent that rotation of the cam disc 85 with its inclined cam surfaces, will cause said inclined cam surfaces to engage under the lift pins 99 to either lift the diverter or bring about a rotation thereof, depending upon whether the diverter is restrained from rotating or is free to rotate.

To predetermined the pattern of movement of the diverter, the shaft supported component of the cam coupling carries a pair of radial pins 101 extending outwardly therefrom at diametrically opposite points, and surrounding the shaft mounted component, is a fixed index ring 103 carrying a stop pin 105 extending inwardly from a boss 107 thereon, this stop pin being in the plane of the radial pins 101, when the shaft mounted component is in its raised position.

At the location of the stop pin, the index ring is formed with a recess 1 11 extending to either side of the stop pin, and a like recess 113 is provided at a diametrically opposite location on the index ring, both recesses being adapted to receive the external radial pins 101 of the shaft connected component of the coupling, when the diverter is in engagement with the orifice plate.

From the foregoing, and by reference to FIGS. 6 through 9, it will be apparent that rotation of the cam disc with its inclined cam surfaces, from the position indicated in FIG. 6, will cause the incline cam surfaces to engage under the lift pins 99 and shift the radial pins 101 until they strike the approaching end walls of their respective recesses as depicted in FIG. 7. At this stage, lifting ofthe diverter occurs until the pins 101 are completely withdrawn from their recesses, as illustrated in FIG. 8, when rotation of the diverter will occur in response to continued rotation of the motor-driven component 85 of the cam coupling.

Such continued rotation of the diverter will be maintained until one of the radial pins 101 strikes the stop pin 105 (FIG. 9) when further rotation will be physically blocked. The lift pins 99 will ride to the end of the inclined cam surfaces, which will then release the diverter and permit the same to drop back into pressure engagement with the orifice plate in response to the action of the spring 67. At this point, the radial pins 101 will occupy their starting positions in their respective recesses in the index ring as illustrated in FIG. 6.

For each cycle of operation, the diverter will rotate 180. It will be appreciated however, that for successful operation of the valve assembly in controlling the filtering index ring must be properly related to the functional position of the diverter.

For a filtering operation, for example, the passageway 31 through the port body from the pump input connection to the input opening of the filter, must be open, and when the diverter is so positioned as to expose this passageway to the inflow from the pump, the discharge opening from the filter will be flow connected through the trough 47 of the diverter to the external opening 37 for connection to a return line 117 to the pool. When the diverter is so positioned, the index ring will be so orientated that the radial index pins 101 will occupy their initial starting positions in the index ring recesses.

By rotating the diverter through 180, a backwash position of the valve assembly will be established. In such position, the discharge opening of the filter will be flow connected to the pump through the chamber in which the diverter is installed and the intake opening of the filter will now be flow connected by way of the diverter through to a waste line 119 connected in that threaded wall opening 41 diametrically opposite to that of the return line. Accordingly, each cycle of operation of the valve assembly, will alternately change operation of the system from a filtering operation to a backwash operation, and then back again to a filtering operation etc.

In the preferred form of the present invention, the change from a filtering operation to a backwash operation is accomplished automatically in response to pressure conditions developing within the filter, attributable to accumulation of sediment therein to a degree calling for a backwash operation. The duration of the backwash operation is determined by a timing means adjusted for a period deemed adequate for backwashing a filter, following which time period, the diverter is rotated to its filtering position for the next filter cycle. The manner in which this is accomplished may be established by considering the circuitry involved and the physical location of the critical components thereof in relationship to the components of the valve assembly which actuate them in their proper time relationship.

Referring to the circuit diagram of FIG. 10, therefore, it is noted that the filter pump motor 121 is in a normally closed circuit adapted for connection to a power source 123. included in such closed circuit, are the normally closed contact 125 of a single pole double throw microswitch 127 having a normally open contact 129, and the normally closed contact 131 of a relay 133 having, in addition to the normally closed contact 131, a pair of normally open contacts 135, 137 and an idle normally closed contact 138.

The valve motor 81 is connectable across the power supply through the normally open contact 137 of the relay, and the normal open contact 129 of the microswitch, so that normally,

during operation of the filter pump, the valve motor will be idle. Conversely, when the valve motor is functioning, the filter motor will be idle. Thus, the valve motor will not have to operate against pressure loads which it would have to face where the filter motor permitted to function while adjustments of the diverter were in progress.

An alternative power connection 140 for a higher voltage may be provided for motors of higher voltage rating.

The relay 133, which controls the operation of its associated contacts, which in turn determine the status of the valve motor and filter motor, is energizable through a pressure switch 139, which normally is open. By making the pressure switch responsive to a pressure condition developed by the filter, attributable to an accumulation of sediment therein, to a degree calling for a backwash operation, the relay will then function to disconnect the filter motor at its contact 131 and energize the valve motor through its normally open contact 137 by way of a connection 141 to one side of the power supply source. Since the disconnection of the filter motor would cut flow to the filter, which would, in turn result in an opening of the pressure switch 139 with a resulting undesired deenergization of the relay 133, a holding circuit is provided for the relay, which involves a connection 143 to the normally open contact 135 of the relay, which upon closing, will complete a circuit through the normally closed contact of the microswitch.

At this point in the operation of the system, the filter motor is disconnected while the valve motor is energized, and the relay continues to be energized through the holding circuit just described.

The diverter is being lifted from its contact engagement with the orifice plate, and rotation thereof begins to bring its associated index pins 101 into engagement with the end walls of their respective recesses 111. At about this point in the cycle of operation of the diverter, the microswitch 129 is physically actuated to open the aforementioned relay holding circuit and close a circuit to the valve motor 81 through the normally open contact 129 whereby the valve motor can continue operation while the relay is deenergized, it being noted that the filter motor circuit, while reestablished at the normally closed contact 131 of the relay, will have been opened at the microswitch contact 125 so that it remains deenergized while the valve motor is functioning to rotate the diverter from its filtering position to its backwash position.

Such physical actuation of the microswitch 127 is accomplished by installing a switch of this type having an actuating plunger, on the mounting plate 59, with its switching plunger depending therefrom into close proximity to the upper rim of the cylindrical wall 97 of the shaft mounted component of the cam coupling. When so positioned, the microswitch will be actuated in response to the raising of the diverter, which brings the upper edge of the shaft mounted component into engagement with the plunger of the microswitch to actuate the switch.

Such actuated condition of this microswitch will be maintained throughout rotation of the diverter and until the diverter is again dropped into pressure engagement with the orifice plate, as a result of which, the shaft mounted component is withdrawn from engagement with the plunger of the microswitch and permits the microswitch to reestablish its normal condition.

When the diverter reaches its backwash position, the valve motor is deenergized by the restoration of the aforementioned microswitch 127 to its normal condition, which at the same time, connects the filter motor to the power source, to initiate the backwash operation.

Simultaneous, however, with the restoration of microswitch 127 to its normal condition, a backwash switch 151 in circuit with the heater 153 ofa time relay 155, is shifted from an open condition to a closed condition. The time delay relay having a time period of approximately 2 minutes or so, will, upon the expiration of such time period, close a normally open contact 157 to again energize the relay 133, this time in circuit with the backwash switch 151.

The energization of this relay 133 will disconnect the filter motor and energize the valve motor in the manner originally indicated, whereby another rotational adjustment of the diverter, this time, to its filtering position, will be initiated.

The backwash switch 151 is in the form of a normally open microswitch having a switch actuating lever, the microswitch being suspended from the mounting plate 59 with its actuating lever in pressure engagement with the cylindrical surface of the shaft mounted component of the cam coupling, to hold this switch in an open condition.

At a diametrically opposite location on the cylindrical wall of the shaft supported component, this component is provided with a recess 161 into which the actuating lever of the microswitch can move to restore this switch to its normally closed condition. Thus, during the backwash period, as determined by the time delay relay, this switch will be closed.

Upon energizing the relay 133 as previously indicated, through the contact 157 of the time delay relay, the resulting raising and rotating of the diverter, willcause the lever of the backwash switch to move out of the recess and onto the cylindrical surface of the shaft supported component whereupon the backwash switch will be opened to disconnect the circuit to the relay, to be followed by an opening of the time delay relay at its contact 157 in response to subsequent cooling of its heater.

However, in the interim, the raising of the diverter will have again physically actuated the microswitch 127 and established a holding circuit for the valve motor, while precluding energization of the filter motor, and the diverter will continue to rotate toward its filtering position, until one of the index pins 101 strikes the stop pin 105 when such position has been reached, and the diverter will drop into pressure engagement with the orifice plate, whereupon the valve motor will be disconnected at the microswitch, and simultaneously therewith, the filter motor will be connected in circuit. Filtering will continue until the accumulation of sediment in the filter reaches a point sufficient to operate the pressure switch, whereupon the diverter will again be rotated to its backwash position...etc.

On more infrequent occasions, it may be desirable to adjust the diverter to other available positions to bring about a draining or recirculating function. For such purpose, the index ring 103 is provided with additional diametrically related recesses 167, 169 intermediate the recesses 111, 113 in conjunction with a manually operated push button stop pin 171 mounted on the index ring in line with such recesses 167, 169 and including a push button 173 manually accessible externally of the housing wall 57. The stop pin 171 is normally withdrawn from the path of movement of the radial index pins 101 by a spring 175 but may, at will, be urged into such path of movement by application of finger pressure to the push button, and may be held in such position until an approaching pin 101 strikes it and brings about a releasing of the diverter to the position determined thereby.

From the foregoing description of our invention in its preferred form, it will be apparent that the same is subject to alteration and modification without departing from the underlying principles involved. For example, one might place a window 177 in the wall 57 of the housing, directly opposite the shaft mounted component of the cam coupling, and on the outer surface of this component, affix a lable strip 179 on which is noted, in line with the window, the prevailing adjustment of the valve.

We claimf 1'. Automatic filter valve assembly for controlling the operation of a filter of the swimming pool type having an input opening and a discharge opening, said automatic valve assembly comprising an orifice plate having a plurality of orifices, port body means having a pair of external openings and four passages, passage for flow connecting one of said orifices with said filter input opening a second passage for flow connecting a second of said orifices with said filter discharge opening, when said valve assembly is mounted on said filter, a

third passage for flow connecting a third one of said orifices with one of said external openings and a fourth passage for flow connecting the fourth one of said orifices with the other of said external openings rotatable diverter means in engagement with said orifice plate, said rotatable diverter exposing one of said orifices, blocking another, and providing flow communication between the remaining orifices, a housing surrounding said rotatable diverter means, and housing having an external opening for connection of a pump, means responsive to pressure for raising said diverter means from a position determining a filter operation and rotating same to a location determining a backwash operation and then lowering said diverter means to said orifice plate, means for determining the duration of said backwash operation, and means for restoring said diverter means to its filtering determining position following such backwash operation.

2. Automatic filter valve assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized by said means for raising, rotating and lowering said diverter means, including a stem extending upwardly from said diverter means, centrally thereof, a valve motor supported above said diverter stem, a lift cam coupling between said valve motor and said stem, one component of said lift cam coupling being connected to said valve motor for rotation thereby and the other component being connected to said diverter stem, and means responsive to pressure created by the filter for energizing said valve motor to initiate operation of said lift cam coupling to lift and rotate said diverter means, and means for blocking further rotation of said diverter means when it reaches the backwash determining position, whereby continued rotation of said motor connected component of said cam coupling will release said diverter means and permit same to drop into its backwash position, and means for deenergizing said valve motor upon release of said diverter means.

3. Automatic filter valve assembly in accordance with claim 2, characterized by said valve motor connected component of said lift cam including a pair of inclined cam surfaces, and said stern connected component including a pair of lift pins extending into the path of movement of said inclined cam surfaces.

4. Automatic filter valve assembly in accordance with claim 2, characterized by said means for blocking further rotation of said diverter means, including a pin extending from said stem connected component of said cam coupling, an index ring encircling said stem connected component, a stop carried by said index ring in the plane of movement of said pin in the lifted position of said cam coupling component and at a point in the movement of said pin which determines the backwash position of said diverter means, said index ring having a notch below said stop to receive said pin as said diverter means is lowered to its backwash position in engagement with said orifice plate.

5. Automatic filter valve assembly in accordance with claim 2, characterized by said means for determining the duration of said backwash operation including timing means for reenergizing said valve motor following a predetermined period of backwashing.

6. In combination a filter or like apparatus having an input opening and a discharge opening, and an automatic valve assembly for controiling the operation of said apparatus, said automatic valve assembly comprising an orifice plate having a plurality of orifices, port body means having a pair of external openings and four passages, one passage flow connecting one of said orifices with said input opening, a second passage flow connecting another of said orifices with one of said discharge opening, a third one of said passages flow connecting another of said orifices with one of said external openings, and a fourth one of said passages flow connecting the fourth orifice with the other of said external openings, rotatable diverter means in engagement with said orifice plate, said rotatable diverter exposing one of said orifices, blocking another, and providing flow communication between the remaining orifices, a housing surrounding said rotatable diverter means, said housing having an external opening, means responsive to pressure for raising said diverter means from a position determining flow in one direction through said apparatus and rotating same to a location determining a reverse flow through said apparatus and then lowering said diverter means to said orifice plate, means for determining the duration of said reverse flow, and means for restoring said diverter means to its original flow direction position upon completion of the duration of said reverse flow. 4

i I i I at 

1. Automatic filter valve assembly for controlling the operation of a filter of the swimming pool type having an input opening and a discharge opening, said automatic valve assembly comprising an orifice plate having a plurality of orifices, port body means having a pair of external openings and four passages, one passage for flow connecting one of said orifices with said filter input opening, a second passage for flow connecting a second of said orifices with said filter discharge opening, when said valve assembly is mounted on said filter, a third passage for flow connecting a third one of said orifices with one of said external openings and a fourth passage for flow connecting the fourth one of said orifices with the other of said external openings rotatable diverter means in engagement with said orifice plate, said rotatable diverter exposing one of said orifices, blocking another, and providing flow communication between the remaining orifices, a housing surrounding said rotatable diverter means, said housing having an external opening for connection of a pump, means responsive to pressure for raising said diverter means from a position determining a filter operation and rotating same to a location determining a backwash operation and then lowering said diverter means to said orifice plate, means for determining the duration of said backwash operation, and means for restoring said diverter means to its filtering determining position following such backwash operation.
 2. Automatic filter valve assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized by said means for raising, rotating and lowering said diverter means, including a stem extending upwardly from said diverter means, centrally thereof, a valve motor supported above said diverter stem, a lift cam coupling between said valve motor and said stem, one component of said lift cam coupling being connected to said valve motor for rotation thereby and the other component being connected to said diverter stem, and means responsive to pressure created by the filter for energizing said valve motor to initiate operation of said lift cam coupling to lift and rotate said diverter means, and means for blocking further rotation of said diverter means when it reaches the backwash determining position, whereby continued rotation of said motor connected component of said cam coupling will release said diverter means and permit same to drop into its backwash position, and means for deenergizing said valve motor upon release of said diverter means.
 3. Automatic filter Valve assembly in accordance with claim 2, characterized by said valve motor connected component of said lift cam including a pair of inclined cam surfaces, and said stem connected component including a pair of lift pins extending into the path of movement of said inclined cam surfaces.
 4. Automatic filter valve assembly in accordance with claim 2, characterized by said means for blocking further rotation of said diverter means, including a pin extending from said stem connected component of said cam coupling, an index ring encircling said stem connected component, a stop carried by said index ring in the plane of movement of said pin in the lifted position of said cam coupling component and at a point in the movement of said pin which determines the backwash position of said diverter means, said index ring having a notch below said stop to receive said pin as said diverter means is lowered to its backwash position in engagement with said orifice plate.
 5. Automatic filter valve assembly in accordance with claim 2, characterized by said means for determining the duration of said backwash operation including timing means for reenergizing said valve motor following a predetermined period of backwashing.
 6. In combination a filter or like apparatus having an input opening and a discharge opening, and an automatic valve assembly for controlling the operation of said apparatus, said automatic valve assembly comprising an orifice plate having a plurality of orifices, port body means having a pair of external openings and four passages, one passage flow connecting one of said orifices with said input opening, a second passage flow connecting another of said orifices with said discharge opening, a third one of said passages flow connecting another of said orifices with one of said external openings, and a fourth one of said passages flow connecting the fourth orifice with the other of said external openings, rotatable diverter means in engagement with said orifice plate, said rotatable diverter exposing one of said orifices, blocking another, and providing flow communication between the remaining orifices, a housing surrounding said rotatable diverter means, said housing having an external opening, means responsive to pressure for raising said diverter means from a position determining flow in one direction through said apparatus and rotating same to a location determining a reverse flow through said apparatus and then lowering said diverter means to said orifice plate, means for determining the duration of said reverse flow, and means for restoring said diverter means to its original flow direction position upon completion of the duration of said reverse flow. 